The joys of winter travel

While many people like to hibernate at home during winter, the cooler climate provides a welcome change to endless days of summer scorchers.

Winter also offers a chance to fill the RV with unread books, hot chocolate and perhaps a close friend and head off to a scenic location for some lazy days of rest and relaxation.

While free camping can be a tad cold in the southern states, if you’re willing to plug-in and take advantage of virtually deserted caravan parks and camping grounds during winter along with lovely affordable rates, the off season is a boon to RV adventures in all states and territories.

Let’s face it -- summer equals money. The days are longer and that gives you more time to spend your hard earned cash, while food spoils so quickly, you’re forever restocking the pantry.

During winter however, any shelf in your RV can hold fruit and veg without much risk of spoilage and one pot throw-together meals are a cinch for days and days of great grub with minimal effort.

I once put together a dish in June and I was still munching on it in late August! Every day I would throw a few fresh titbits into the pot and the offering would swell and contract through lunch, dinner and sometimes even breakfast.

Whereas in summer when I really don’t want to fire up the cooktop for an extended period, winter makes cooking in an RV a joy. Food and warmth from the one energy source makes great sense and the smells wafting up from a rich vegetable soup heaped with garlic and fresh herbs is one of life’s true pleasures.

Sure, summer has its swimming and I am the first to admit a tasty salad with meat roasted on the barbecue is hard to beat. 

But can anything top that lovely toasty feeling you get from being parked in the sun with a stellar view of nature’s wonders and a steaming hot mug of your favourite beverage in hand?

If you ever had mind to write a book, winter in an RV would be the perfect time to do it. J.K. Rowling got it all wrong. A cafe full of clatter and noise and $4.40 coffee? No thanks! Give me the tranquil peace of my RV and I’ll have the first draft to you by mid-day!

Of course, winter travel isn’t just a solo pursuit. If you ever wished you could spend more quality time with your partner or children, there are worse places than a snuggly warm RV. 

Raid the nearest charity shop for board game classics and with little effort, you can have a holiday schedule that would be the envy of even top resorts.

Here’s my idea of a relaxing day during a winter getaway…

8am: Stir awake so you get to enjoy every additional moment of lazing around in a toasty warm bed as the morning sun slowly seeps into your RV to replace the evening chill.

9am: Rise, refreshed and ready to tackle a relaxing late breakfast followed by a stroll in the gently warming morning air to a nearby bakery for crusty fresh bread to have with lunch. 

10:30am: Return to the RV for hot chocolate and morning tea cake and biscuits. Make your hot chocolate with full cream milk warmed in a pot on the cooker. Relax with a book.

12:30pm: Lunch - ideally a stew or similar one pot creation prepared the day before.  Gently warm this on the stove - no microwave! Warm the cob loaf, sourdough or crusty rolls in the oven and stand close to the door to share the generous warmth. Break apart the rolls and lash them generously with salted butter.

2:30pm: Take a nap to rejuvenate your brain cells and generally maintain your good looks and good health. 

3:30pm: Prepare a hot pot on a slow heat with stock, meat and vegetables for the evening meal. Play some music, sip some of the wine used for cooking and have a deep and meaningful conversation.

3:45pm: Open another bottle of wine, change the music to my favourite album and settle in for some real quality time with my winter companions.  Enjoy an afternoon of cards and break out a board game for even more fun. Bliss.

5:40pm: Check on the slow pot. Take a generous portion for dinner, leaving the remainder for tomorrow’s lunch. Open another bottle of wine. Enjoy!

6:20pm: Browse the internet for funny videos, great articles and work on my book. Open a further bottle of wine. Laugh and be merry!

10:30pm - Optionally drink two large glasses of water before retiring for the evening to get ready for tomorrow. Rinse and repeat!

Can life get any better?

Can you improve on my winter holiday RV escape? Where are the best caravan parks or camping spots for winter escapees?